Trails to Hike Economy in Colchester County

Resident and visiting nature lovers will soon have new places to enjoy the great outdoors as community organizations in Colchester County are developing hiking trails in Economy and Tatamagouche.

Like many trails projects across the province, trails in Colchester County have received financial assistance through the Nova Scotia Trails Destination Project, which is funded by the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification. The agreement is managed by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Nova Scotia Economic Development.

"Communities around this province know that Nova Scotia's natural beauty is one of our greatest strengths and they're taking full advantage of it by developing these hiking trails," said Senator Bernie Boudreau, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, on behalf of George Baker, Secretary of State for the ACOA. "We're pleased to support these trails projects and we look forward to the economic spinoffs they'll generate."

Gordon Balser, Minister of Economic Development, emphasized the importance of using the province's natural resources for new, sustainable economic growth.

"Nature tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of our tourism industry," said Mr. Balser. "Our investment in trails across the province will ensure that Nova Scotia is an even more attractive destination for those outdoor enthusiasts who will bring their tourism dollars to our communities."

The Kenomee Trail Association is developing the first phase of a 50-kilometre trail system through the Economy River Wilderness Protected Area. This six-kilometre trail will offer hikers spectacular views from sandstone cliffs along the Economy River and ends at the Economy River Falls. Hikers will have easy access to the trail, which starts 500 metres off the River Phillip Road where a parking lot will be developed. A 200-metre trail will lead to the main trail which is being improved with small bridges and boardwalks over wet areas and interpretive signage to direct hikers along the route. In addition to community and corporate support for building the trail, the Kenomee Trail Association has received $100,000 through the Nova Scotia Trails Destination Project while Human Resources Development Canada provided $130,000.

Like Cumberland and Pictou counties, the Colchester Trails Association is developing a length of the abandoned Oxford-Pictou shortline railroad corridor into a section of the Trans Canada Trail. The 10.3-kilometre stretch of multipurpose trail will lead trail-blazers from the Sutherland Steam Mill in Denmark to the Village of Tatamagouche. The association has received $50,000 through the trails project, $10,000 from the Trans Canada Trail Foundation and corporate and community support.

"The tourism industry is active in every corner of this province," said Doug Fawthrop, chair of the Nova Scotia Tourism Partnership Council. "Developing trails that are popular attractions for visitors is another way our communities are contributing to the growth of this billion dollar industry."

The $3-million Nova Scotia Trails Destination Project, which was announced last summer, will help make Nova Scotia one of the world's premier trails destinations and attract 36,000 new visitors to the province each year. The Trails Destination Project received a total of $2 million in funding under the Economic Diversification Agreement.

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